Agricultural runoff, whether it is fertilizer causing fish killing hypoxic zones via red tides, pesticides being accumulated in aquatic life and working its way up the food chain, or propagation of parasites via, say, pig shit, hazardous runoff does need to be addressed. In addition, in some locations, such as certain counties in Florida, the “pond created for livestock” exception has been abused by would be land developers to create property value enhancing “Water views”. However, it is also true some of the EPA legal actions have effectively denied property owners reasonable right to utilize their property. In a state that has condemned private property for expansion of wildlife protection areas only to later sell the same property to a politically connected developer is quite damning for the system. Other examples of the EPA engaging in massive transfer of wealth among real estate holders involves super fund laws such as CIRCLA, where a previous property owner has his property potentially unfairly devalued for the benefit a future politically well connected property owner. It is true some sites need remediation, but one look at a environmental map, such as can be seen on city-data.com, shows the majority of properties being affected by these laws. Further, in order to transact most, if not all commercial real estate, a site survey must be completed by an environmental engineer. This introduces another method potentially of effecting the fortunes of those who are politically well connected from those who are not where corruption lurks. In addition, in new construction, there are various energy efficiency and safety laws that require the builder to pay into a system that benefits from heavy regulation. The net effect of over bearing regulations, selective enforcement, is increased cost and risk of owning real estate in this country. One of the major selling points of our economic and political system was the relative free ownership of property. Free from excessive Government intrusion, that is. As our rights increasingly become impinged, our incentive to be productive and to take risks is reduced, resulting in reduced economic opportunities, reduced standard of living, and increased discontent. Excessive Government regulation and control is polluting the American Dream.
Well put, and this is exactly why Trump pulled in so many votes from small business types that have lived it, and why he continues to get a pass despite the highly unconventional and oftentimes offensive and ignorant manner in which he goes about his day to day activities. See... despite what so many on this board like to blab about daily.... not every Trump voter is a closet Klan member... some of us just have the wisdom and life experience to realize that what you wrote in your last paragraph is 100%, balls on correct. Being POTUS is no easy job; its an impossible job really. Trump came in with the best of intentions, but he obviously underestimated the magnitude and the steadfast, bedrock foundation of the beast that has evolved in D.C. and throughout the rest of this country. I think he thought he could maneuver through obstacles as if on a jet-ski if given the power, and many Americans were down with that despite his numerous flaws. I guess we all found out though what the reality really is. Its not a jet-ski, its a giant lumbering, filled to the brim super-tanker in an ocean of quick-sand... slowly but surely making its way on a straight and narrow course to a land where freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom to reap the rewards of hard work, and freedom from government intervention in every aspect of life... no longer exists. Many wonder why Trumps base is so unwavering. That's it right there. The hope for a hail-Mary pass in the last quarter. He may be an idiot, but unless you want to live in a world like I posted above with all those pictures... he's the only hope.
One friendly reminder deserves another: You do understand from at least a basic level how batteries are made for so-called environmentally electric vehicles, right? From the mining of the ore, smelting, and final disposal creates waste and air pollution. Besides, is not someone who has extensive experience dealing with various pollution and regulatory issues that involves coal extremely well qualified to lead the EPA? This person understands both business and environmental issues and thus may have a perspective that can actually help us achieve a reasonable balance between our environmental and energy needs.